01 March 2024 - 0 Comments

Tāmaki Makaurau-based, reggae-pop duo Ra Charmian have today released their stunning new waiata Te Aroha - an uplifting tune that celebrates loved ones past, present and future.

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Capturing the sound of an Aotearoa summer in the form of an infectious and soulful track, Te Aroha songwriters Ra Charmian Toia-Booth (Ngāpuhi, Tainui) and Hayden Booth say the song details the story of being hopeful and excited with the news of Ra expecting a child, as well as the “love we will always have for those who have gone, and the love for the people around us right now.”

The duo’s new single acts as a beacon of hope that “as our loved ones leave this world, new life enters.” Hayden and Ra describe the inspiration for the lyrics of the song as being deeply connected to their love for the Manukau Harbour: “We regularly visit local beaches which look out to the Manukau. Upon the news of Ra expecting, we went down to Titirangi Beach for a walk and the inspiration for the song came straight to us.”

Reflecting on the history of the Manukau Harbor and its place in te ao Māori (the shores were home to some of the earliest Māori settlements and the Harbour had vital transportation routes), the pair explain that, while the harbour carries such lifeforce, it can also be “wild and treacherous with many hidden dangers.” They say that this speaks to the challenges and losses we have in life. ”Its wild beauty feels like it connects us to our ancestors and also brings life to the present and future.”

Also released today is a special music video made by Hayden. Showing a newly pregnant Ra performing over the Manukau Harbour, the video also acts as a diary of the duo’s summer across Aotearoa, flooded with shots of friends and whānau gathering over music and events.

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